How can the Libyan conflict be resolved?

Defending the first military intervention of his presidency, he said US participation in the coalition had saved "countless lives", but that overthrowing Muammar Gaddafi by force would be a mistake.

The US is due to hand over full command of the whole military operation in Libya, to NATO on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the rebel advance inside Libya has been slowed down near Sirte. In eastern Libya, rebel radio has been urging more people in the west of the country to join the anti-Gaddafi uprising.

Are you in the region? Or do you have family there? Do you think a no-fly zone is the only way to resolve the crisis in the country? Are there other viable options? What are the implications for the region?

Comment number 3.

Have just been reading a profile of Libya on wikipedia (assuming it is true) reads as a country on the up very rich very literate and not third world. Seems like the no fly zone is boy Camerons start on knocking that back a few centuries. They should be stopping the rebels and have the UN setting talks with the Gaddaffi regime to ensure a fair deal for all citizens of Libya. The No Fly Zone has just finished all that off and the quaility of life for Libyian people will be dire for years. Good on you Cameron.

Comment number 4.

You can't remove a determined dictator with just fighers. You either use ground forces or you secretly tell him to take his millions and retire to Saudi Arabia.Any other solution is a long drawn-out war where the civilians will be the losers.

Comment number 6.

I would have thought that politicians would have learned by now that aggression towards countries that are not threatening us do not have good outcomes. There will be, as a consequence, more bloodshed and strife than if we had used diplomatic pressure. The aguements are the same as practiced previously but it seems every new leader wants to stamp his mark whilst in office. The price of oil will now continue its rise and the terrorism threat will have been heightened. Will there be yet another inquiry in the future about lessons learned.

Comment number 7.

So when USA and other troops killed many civians in Iraq that was aceptable but when another country not favoured by the USA is in civil war and is trying to regain power do many countries try to change its leadership, did the usa and other want to remove Mugabe, to be it seems double standards. OR is it again OIL? I have no love for Gaddafi and just consider African countries should be left to sort their problems out.

Comment number 12.

Looks like, another hastily bombed oil rich Muslim country. Another dead civilians. Another damaged soil-plants-animals. Another greedy wish for oil-gas..contracts as war prize. Why nobody took any notice in 2006 uprising in France?

Comment number 13.

Give the people the decision, this is a civil war after all. Stop the fighting by force if necessary, give Gaddafi the option to let the people vote. if there is no one to stand as opposition to Gaddafi, then the vote must be yes or no to Gaddafi remaining in power. What happens if Gaddafi is kicked out, who knows? but does anybody know if thousands are killed doing it the current method?

Comment number 14.

It can be resolved by leaving the people of Libya to sort out their own country.

We claim to be going in there to protect the people and bring them democracy. You cannot enforce democracy onto people as that is the same as a dictatorship telling the this is how they should live their lives. It has to come from the people not the classes above who (in this case are foreign to Libya) have no legitimacy here.

We have traded arms with Libya in the past and now we are going in to fight them whilst they will use weapons against us that they bought from us. The hypocrisy of this country is never ending.

Comment number 15.

Comment number 16.

My local county council is slashing public services because it says there is no money to run them. School crossing patrols have gone; libraries are threatened with closure; care homes are about to be closed. This picture is reflected across the whole country.

Now we know where the money is going: another ill-thought out, bloody conflict that will again, no doubt, see thousands of innocent civilians killed, perpetrated in the name of national security. Civil war has been raging in some African countries for decades, yet no Western countries saw fit to intervene there. So what's the difference now? As ever, oil.

Apparently the Americans want to divide Libya into two: unleaded and diesel.

Comment number 17.

If this was really about saving innocent people (those in both camps who are not armed) The UN should have grown a back bone and sent in peice keepers. As far as I understand it this so called no fly zone which today I heard reffered to as a no combat zone with very different implications, will hit Gadaffi's forces if he moves to take bengazi or other rebel held towns. I hope they will also hit rebel forces if they try to take Gadaffi held towns, and destroy rebel artillary if they are moved aggressively.

This is my point. This is not Gadaffi killing protesters this is Gadaffi fighting rebels. Rebels are not protesters. Protesters become rebels when they take up arms. Therefore this is a civil war. Although I believe in my opinion that the media like to refer to dead rebels as civilians at the earliest opportunity this is wrong and clouds the issue.

I'm not pro Gadaffi or pro rebels. I'm honest enough to say it is not my problem and doesn't concern me, if I were Libyan I would think differently obviously, but I'm not so I don't. My view is that this is an internal matter for the Libyan people to sort out, no one else. In a side note Half of the country support Gaddaffi and half don't. Again its a Civil War/ Conflict.

Interestingly on Obama's and Cameron's speeches on the justification, Bahrain and other countries in the region fell into the same category as Libya. Its the obvious cherry picking by the west that is hard for people of this country to stomach, I hope I'm wrong but this could be the worst mistake we've made in recent years all down to politicians, shedding crocodile tears and trying to make their name.

Comment number 18.

You can't remove a determined dictator with just fighers. You either use ground forces or you secretly tell him to take his millions and retire to Saudi Arabia.Any other solution is a long drawn-out war where the civilians will be the losers.

Comment number 19.

People ask where the money is coming from? The extra VAT, this extra tax raised a bit more money than expected, whilst fueling inflation and cuting living standards in this country! So instead of spending the xextra on the needy, david has decided to spend it on bombs.

Comment number 23.

Certainly hope the aka 3 months to live individual might be living on borrowed time, who's going to pay for keeping him alive! If they can really hold on to all the off-shore libyan soverign wealth funds then this little police action will be over quickly and let the remaining Libayans sort it out for themselves. However Mr G would be best to either die fighting or taken before the Hague for crimes against his own people, he must not be allowed to get his hands on any monies as we know what it will be used for in the west.

Comment number 25.

Gaddaffi is going to fight on unless he has options, right now he's got a choice, fight, and maybe stay in power, or quit and either be killed or spend the rest of his life in jail after being indited for war crimes or similar.

After what has happened/is happening to the leaders of Tunisa and Egypt no other leader in that part of the world will go quitely.

Disgusting as it is to most of us that these men may never face justice it would be far better to find come country willing to tak them and some of their money and send them their for the rest of their life! It would save an awful lot of lives if we gave Gadaffi an option.

Comment number 26.

Look where we are going back! Now its all about the Allies and the enemies of the allies. Do you believe another war is the solutions ? The implications on the regions are huge. It is sure that what Qaddafi did was not right but for the sake of peace and for the sake of all the Libyans you are pretending to protect, no strikes !

We do not need that war in our next history books. It is really shameful. What will the repercussions be ? Look what happened after the US invasion of Iraq. Huge resentment and hatred for the Allies. The situation is already bad lets not make it worse. The war can still be avoided.

Comment number 27.

I dont profess to being knowledgeable about politics in the Middle East or on the cause and effect of bombing, but on Sat nights late news the BBC showed alleged civilian victims of Allied bomb and missile strikes in a Libyan hospital it struck me as odd that none of them had any sort of facial injury and were covered up to their necks with blankets, call me a cynic but maybe this is just another ploy by Gaddafi to garner sympathy for a regime in trouble. Let us not forget the anger that was shown when an airliner was blown out of the sky by a state sponsored terrorist killing several hundred innocent civilians and then only to have the terrorist released on humanitarian grounds. We have been asked for help by a nation of oppressed people it would be wrong not to give it.Let us not forget what happens when the world doesn't listen, lots of people with tattoos on their arms will attest to that.

Comment number 28.

It is quite obvious what we should do! But it will never happen -What should happen is in any such situation where a regime or group are employing brutal force against another group or peoples - then the international community should be mandated to ensure the 'oppressed' are provided with the exact same military forces and equipment as the oppressors!

Comment number 30.

This is an internal conflict. There are laws of non intervention. Lets not play the card of the un resolution that "says something it does not really says though it somehow implies it".Let them solve their crisis within themselves. Provide mediation not military action.France is concerned because of that "secret" Qaddafi talked about. The US wants Qaddafi to turn to capitalism so it can exploit it very well.its long time ally the UK is backing them. but Canada ? Ew

Comment number 32.

Is it Cameron in charge or King Midas because for a country he would have you believe was bankrupt due to Labour, well he could not blame his paymasters the bankers could he,we ain't arf doing well bank Holiday for a royal wedding and oh what a loverly war.

Comment number 34.

How can the Libyan conflict be resolved?Britain is struggling,Its people are Struggling and ignored.We as a nation are virtually bankrupt YET WE CAN ALWAYS AFFORD TO GO TO WAR.................WHAT AN UTTER SHAMBLES AND DISGRACE.!!!.....................WE SHOULD NOT BE IN THIS CONFLICT.

Comment number 36.

One would think that we could eventually learn from history, but it seems that we have to keep repeating our mistakes. "Crowd control" from the air never works. It didn't work in Vietnam, Kosovo, Iraq, Afghanistan, etc., and it won't work in Libya. So, if we are intent on effecting a regime change, and it seems rightly or wrongly that we are, this can only be accomplished by having an invasion of ground troops. This leads inexorably to dire consequences - witness Iraq and Afghanistan. How can we prevent the slaughter of innocent civilians? Unfortunately, in all honesty, we cannot.

Comment number 37.

Well if the conflict is to be resolved then it needs to happen quickly, but what its substance be, and who will do the resolving?

The first thing must be a cease fire by all involved, and monitored by the countries who abstained (Russia, China, India and Germany). They should be acceptable to Gaddafi, and they are to big and powerful to be ignored by the likes of Boy Cameron.

Another suggestion, is that an election is held and monitored by the same to see what the Libyan people really want. If Gaddafi wins then he stays, sorry Boy Cameron, better luck with your next adventure. If he loses Gaddafi goes, but gracefully. If he is as sick as the media would have us believe, then what is the point of taking matters further? And of course there just might be space to hail Boy Cameron as a true hero, and not a piece of something sticky that many here might think he is.

Comment number 38.

What is going on, we had Bush & Blair, now Obama & Cameron. What is it about power that turns mild mannered people into war mongering ego maniacs.How much is this conflict costing the tax payer? How many Doctors, Nurses Police officers, and Teachers, will it cost to pay for this conflict. These military hardware, missles and bombs are not cheap.

Cameron may just sees Gaddaffi supporters as targets, but I see them as human-beings, someones son, husband or father. Our bombs & missles may be smart but they do not differentiate between the guilty, innocent, military or civilian; they kill and maim equally.

We are sacking service people on front line duty and then use what is left to settle other people's conflicts. let them have their civil war, it's nothing to do with us, would we be there if they had no oil? If this is the price of cheap petrol they can keep it I want no blood in my petrol tank.

People say Gaddaffi should surrender, for what! What is in it for him?The world has seized his money and his assets, they have banned him & his family from travelling abroad, then promised him that he will be arrested for genocide and that he will spend the rest of his life in jail.We have painted this mad dog into a corner and a cornered dog is more vicious. He has nothing to lose and no choice but to go down fighting, taking as many with him as he can. So! what is his incentive?

Comment number 39.

Interesting selection of comments. The colonel sounds familiar to me espousing the "you are making me shoot you, you are making me kill your children and rape your women" sounds like a cold war dicatator. who having risen to power now seeks to instigate a dynasty.A dynasty his people object to.

Comment number 40.

Col. Gaddafi will not see the writings on the wall, and he has vowed for a long-drawn out war. It is amazing that the western airstrikes against Libya is supported by the Arab League. It is not understood why the Arab League could not convince Col. Gaddafi to step down. UN Security Council should play a more active role in resolving the Libyan crisis.If the worst thing comes to the worst, the desirability of the Security Council's ordering the Inter Pol to arrest Gaddafi and hand him over to the International Criminal Court for his trial for his crimes against humanity.It seems that a full scale war in Libya is unvoidable.The ceasefire ordered by Gaddafi is not fully in force, and his forces are still fighting the rebels.Such an ineffective ceasefire cannot restore peace in Libya.And Col. Gaddafi is going to be rssponsible for the colossal losses of life and property in Libya. History will not forgive him.Be that as it may, the firing of so many missiles by the US and the UK will create havoc in the country. It is apprehended that thousands of Libyans will be compelled to flee from Libya to Tunisia and other neighbouring countries, leading to refugee problems which will be another man-made disaster.The large scale disorder and strife in Libya are likely to spread in the other countiries in the region, and the continuation of such an apalling situation may banish peace from the region.

Comment number 41.

Comment number 42.

We do not have the money nor the will for another fight we are now on our third Arab country for what reason they do not come and attack us no matter what the big mouth powers say, this is USA backed they do not hung behind others they always have to show off the macho Govenment. Now we will be drawn into another long drawn out war and for what? The interests of the rich of these Western countries and the USA government. Nature is showing the world who is boss and it does it for nothing how many thousands are now dead from nature. Gaddaffi is showing the West how their government's will take the bread out of its people mouths to make us the oil that is not ours anyway. Donald Rumsfeld the handler of Bush jr said and I quote " Its not his fault that God put American oil in Arab countries" when the USA has a lot of oil and is not running out but wants to have total control of all oil thus becomes a super super power. People in this country are buying cheap food and going to soup kitchens and becoming homeless and call me Dave and boy Osborne will make it even worse next week at the budget but we can go to war because we are paying for it. No fly zone, well do you want your children and grandchildren to be in a war that has nothing to do with them for years and years to come????

Comment number 43.

Quite frankly, they will do exactly what they did in Iraq. Instead of seizing the nettle by the hand we will return again and again to this problem. Or are they afraid that as the stupid americans say "there will be a political vacuum" how could there be with an allied military force governing.Gadaffi is a lunatic and a political assassination is required clean efficient. But then our weak leader wont sanction that because they are frightened in case they are next...is a pity they aren't

Comment number 45.

My concern is for our pilots who have to operate out of the UK with a 3000 mile journey, there and back, this is without the actual operating time over the target.

If anything goes wrong during this period... What recovery capability do we have? Remember there will be no troops on the ground!!!

Cock-up Cameron has done it again ill-thought out, fire at the hip without proper planning. Where is our aircraft carrier? SCRAPPED! Where are our Harriers? SCRAPPED! What happened to the trainee pilots that had their courses cancelled within an inch of qualification. When we do eventually get our TWO new Aircraft Carriers we will still have no aircraft to put on them!! What gave this man (Mr Cameron) the idea that he can run a country efficiently? We have been firing off cruise missiles at £300,000 a go. It seems we can afford that but not to educate our own university students.

Now Cock-up Cameron calls for a NO-FLY zone. It would be funny if it wasn't such a risk to our fantastic service personnel. He is well on the way to making the UK a No-Fly Zone. WHAT A FARCE???

We need a grown-up in No.10 Downing Street not a public school boy.

The media will claim this action as strong leadership on the PMs part (and I believe that Gadafi is a real tyrant). But to expect our armed services to have to operate with one arm tied behind their backs is more than stupid. IT IS CRIMINAL!!! You can't cut our armed services to the bone then expect them to fight two wars AND protect the UK from external threats. This current action comes more from the military school of "MUST DO SOMETHING" rather than "LET'S PLAN FOR NOW - AND AFTER GADAFI IS GONE".

Heaven forbid that we have to suffer losses from this war but if we do I would like to know if Cock-up Cameron will give a PUBLIC apology to the all the families who are left to grieve.

When Political Dogma replaces Inteligence and common sense then we had ALL better watch out.

The other very significant question that no-one seems to have asked is... Who is it that we are supporting in Lybia? Is it...

1. The nice guys who want to be friends with the West?2. Muslim extremists that thought Gadafi was getting too close to UK?3. Is it muzzy headed liberals who, like ours, do not know what they want but will trample on anyone elses welbeing to give themselves a place in Government?

The truth is we don't know. I would be very angry if we were to lose good people fighting for "The Oposition" only to find they end up opposing us.

It is true that Gadafi is not a nice person and he is probably butchering his own people. Does this mean that we are going to sort out African Countries like Zimbabwe or other middle east countries like Yemen or Barhrein next?

If that's the case... How many £300,000 Tomahawk Missiles have we got left?

Finally, the old question. Where is the money going to come from to pay for all this? Reduce Tax Credits AGAIN? Hit benefits and raid pension schemes AGAIN? Reduce the Health Service Budget YET AGAIN? Cut Local Services YET AGAIN?

Well it's easy to do that isn't it? Much much easier than taking it out of the banker's pockets.

The only good thing that is likely to come out of this war is that the country might see that we need someone in 10 Downing Street who knows what they are doing. Not the current trainee!!!

Comment number 48.

People ask where the money is coming from? The extra VAT, this extra tax raised a bit more money than expected, whilst fueling inflation and cuting living standards in this country! So instead of spending the xextra on the needy, david has decided to spend it on bombs.

________________________________________

Well that's not completely accurate, yes our tax is funding yet another 'war of terror', but this is also being funded by the profit 'Call me Dave' is making from selling arms to other dictators, who I'm sure in 30 years time we will suddenly decide we don't like.

Comment number 50.

will gadaffi hang as an order from a U N resilution?What are the instructions from the U N on what to do with the enemies of the Libyan people,will there be a western style judgement in any criminal court proceedure.How are the Arab States going to determin what degrees of punishment will satisfy the muslim population if there are any trials at the International Criminal Courts?

Comment number 51.

An absolute disaster. All that this will bring about is greater pain and suffering for the Libyan people. Gaddafi will take out much of his anger at the USA and western forces on the rebels and their supporters. The rebels have no army as such and will not be able to resist him on the ground. All that we will achieve with this is to prolong their agony and to ferment even further anti-western terrorist attacks.

If we had not interfered then the "civil war" would already be over, however bitter the outcome may have been. This will only result in more death, destruction and hatred for the west.

Better ways forward have already been suggested by many contributors to this debate. We have a collection of untested, naive politicians at the helm who are too anxious to make their impact on the world stage. Once again vanity and oil will wreak havoc in the arab states and around the world.

Comment number 52.

This western intervention is a difficult one, on one hand how can we say we believe in western human rights and democracy while we just watch on TV the courageous Libyan men and women stand up to a cruel and manipulative dictator and then get shot down by their own government?

On the other hand, so many times we have armed the dictators that shoot down their own people and trained and educated the armies and governments that torture and persecute their own people in the name or trade.

Oh I don't know the answer but I am sure that if I were one of those men and women who have put their own lives on the line in the name of freedom, I would dispise those who are willing to watch me die while spouting and spewing forth platitudes from the high moral ground of western superiority.

Maybe this is just something that IS worth fighting for on the behalf of the oppressed in Libya. I hope so because there is enough going badly wrong at the moment.

Comment number 55.

The best way to solve the libya crises is by taLKING and western nations must encourage talks between Gaddhafi and his opponents. The way western nations started bombarding is totally wrong. When first news of attack started, it was shown France has started and then today slowly U.S name is coming first, I am very sure it is all the trick of U.S to destroy each and every Muslim country, they just wait for any small opportunity and start striking muslim nations and then take control of entire country by way of bringing their own leaders of that country.Iragi leaders and Afghan leaders are all the puppets of U.S and till now they have not done any good for the people of that country. Iraqis has to protest to get what is necessity for them just imagine protesting for the necessity. Afghanis are reeling under the highest corruption in the whole world. I know many will feel I am anti west but I am not it is just the real instances which is compelling me to think in this way. I wish I am wrong. But americans are giving lots and lots of pain to muslims all around the world.

Comment number 56.

Looks like, another hastily bombed oil rich Muslim country. Another dead civilians. Another damaged soil-plants-animals. Another greedy wish for oil-gas..contracts as war prize. Why nobody took any notice in 2006 uprising in France?

Comment number 58.

Obama deserves a huge amount of credit for the low key behind the scenes approach of the US. In the run up to Irak Bush's bullying produced a hostile France and no resolution. This time we have a solid UN resolution and France is in the forefront.When the Libyans have achieved their freedom, the greatest contribution in their support will have come from Obama precisely because he has avoided taking the credit.

Comment number 59.

I may not like "Col" Gaddafi; the deluded insanity of his speeches, his 'chain yanking' rhetoric when refering to UK and USA [and all countries who don't sympathise with him], and his threats to kill those in Lybia who don't kowtow to his line in bull-droppings, but on one thing I do agree; that the west has ". . . no right to attack Libya". Had he and his followers harmed our countries [again!] I could fully support military action . . . but they haven't. Now it has started I want to see the Arab League of Nations rolling up their sleeves and heading this action, not some 'brass' from Washington.

Comment number 60.

I completely agree with the actions taken. It's not an invasion, it's not a war. It's providing air support to allow the Libyan people to free themselves of a ghastly, deluded dictator who has ruled with an iron fist for nearly half a century; people who are being crushed completely and utterly, without mercy. People to whom we offer a glimmer of hope.

And here you all are, whining about why the government won't spend the money on people who 'really need it', like yourselves... SHAME on you all. It's almost as bad as people on here comparing the situation here to that in Egypt a few weeks back. It's pathetic.

Comment number 64.

Due to strike on Libya by U.S, France and U.K, Mohamed Gaddhafi is on no return position. The bombarding by western nations is very serious provocation and has created such a circumstances that problems will escalate and will not come down. I wish same type of rule is for israel who is doing injustice with the palestinians since 1947, just latest position is that obama pressurises Palestine to start talks and when talks start israel bring the terms which is again the greatest provocation to the palestinians. Even Hillary and Obama were first of the opinion that israel must halt constructions on the land grabbed from palestine but suddenly the leaders of great U.S mr.obama and hillary came under the pressure of israel and has to take the line of israel. Just imagine U.S can bombard any muslim nation from which thousands are killed but not able to control israel. what a worlds strong leader is doing injustice with the muslims.

Comment number 65.

Tis will not be resolved by dropping bombs all over the place,how many civilians the ones we are protecting will die yet another gungho offensive by the U.S.A backed up by the british puppets. If this is to enforce a no fly zone why are we bombing lorries on the ground Iniversal support for this will soon evaporate when there are allied casualties WHAT ON EARTH IS THIS ALL ABOUT???????????????

Comment number 66.

The fully armed rebels were using cities like Benghazi as human shields, so Gaddaffis forces could not deal with them without collateral damage to cvilians.

Now the West are going to bomb those same cities, if Gadaffis heavy artillary happens to be in those cities.

In both cases civilians die.

The war will be swift and short with use of heavy weaponry from long distances on the part of the West, but no means to retaliate by Libya. It is so one-sided.

The terrain is not like Afghanistan where locals can retreat into mountainous terrain.

However after the immediate destruction of cities is over, and many thousands are killed, insurgency will continue long therafter just as in Iraq and thousands will die thereafter from small bombs as Gadaffis supporters and civilians who have lost families seek revenge on the revolutionaries and on the West.

The West have set about regime change, and the only way large scale destruction can be avoided is if Gadaffi surrenders in some way and aloow the west to install their next despot.

However, whether he is unelected or not, his supporters, which may well be the majority of the nation, would expect their leader to defend them. He is on a loser, as is the civilian population.

Many will lose their lives if he clings on, and they will lose when the next despot comes in and they lose the lifestyle they were accustomed to enjoying.

Comment number 67.

Supprise Supprise!The Arab League has lost its bottle already.We should either leave these arabs to get on with it or go in a take the lot.Our polititions on the word of these two faced lyers have just sunk us even deeper in trouble!

Comment number 69.

How can the Libyan conflict be resolved?~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~A number of options present themselves.

1/. Let us find the poison in the Libyan psyche by examining and debating in detail the contents of Gaddaffi's Little Green Book that all in Libya have been exposed to since the acquisition of power by Col Gaddaffi. We may find this work here:

We may thereby help to find a commonsense answer that all people in Libya can relate to.

2/. Prepare the Hague or a new courthouse in Neurenburg with full internet and media coverage and summon all leaders with civilian blood on their hands and begin legal proceedings, let's say on 'Crimes Against Humanity'. A long list to be sure.

3/. Declare an international day to respect and mourn for all the civilian deaths through war and brutal tyranny through the ages. It is nowhere near enough to only have a day to remember the military dead much as they need that respect. We, the civilian people of the world, need to remember our murdered brothers and sisters all over the planet. A new start can then be made.

Comment number 70.

I am appalled at this latest misguided adventure in Libya by a British government, that I thought and hoped had more sense than to get embroiled in yet another war.

Firstly, we had the lies and disgrace by a Labour government of the Iraq debacle. We have the ongoing senseless quagmire of Afghanistan where nearly every day some of our best young men die for a meaningless cause.

Who is advising our governments to get involved in these internal conflicts that are nothing to do with us? Using the present logic we should set up no-fly zones and take out the military installations of Israel, Iran, Bahrain, Zimbabwe and a hundred other nasty little regimes that we deal with and sell arms to every day of the year. It is total and utter hypocrisy.

This country is up to the hatband in debt. There are cuts left right and centre and we really cannot assume a responsibility to police the world. Britain does not have the manpower, the military assets and we certainly do not have the money.

Comment number 71.

Looks like, another hastily bombed oil rich Muslim country. Another dead civilians. Another damaged soil-plants-animals. Another greedy wish for oil-gas..contracts as war prize. Why nobody took any notice in 2006 uprising in France?

Comment number 72.

I am appalled at this latest misguided adventure in Libya by a British government, that I thought and hoped had more sense than to get embroiled in yet another war.

Firstly, we had the lies and disgrace by a Labour government of the Iraq debacle. We have the ongoing senseless quagmire of Afghanistan where nearly every day some of our best young men die for a meaningless cause.

Who is advising our governments to get involved in these internal conflicts that are nothing to do with us? Using the present logic we should set up no-fly zones and take out the military installations of Israel, Iran, Bahrain, Zimbabwe and a hundred other nasty little regimes that we deal with and sell arms to every day of the year. It is total and utter hypocrisy.

This country is up to the hatband in debt. There are cuts left right and centre and we really cannot assume a responsibility to police the world. Britain does not have the manpower, the military assets and we certainly do not have the money.

Comment number 74.

The Free Libyans are looking for a FREE, JUST and Democratic Libya. The current problem can be resolved by:1) stop listening to Moammar's so-called speeches. Do something to get his none-sense TV channels from polluting the air waves;2) destroy his armour currently threatning the civilians. Empty his Tripoli bank accounts;3) maintain the No-Fly-Zone until all objectives are reached;4) coordinate security with the Free Libyans during their move west to free their countrymen.

Once Moammar looses the money and does not have the means to threaten and brainwash the Libyans, his collaborators will abandon him and the Free Libyans will rise up all over Libya. Libyans are well educated and are able to build up a modern Libya.

Comment number 75.

Eventually there will have to be co-ordinated ground forces, hopefully in the role of peacekeepers, once Gaddaffi's forces have been destroyed. But it has to be made clear to some Libyan contributors that this is not about oil, nor is it about supporting the rebels. It is to stop Gaddaffi from butchering his own people. Just because they oppose his rule does not mean he needs to kill them.

Comment number 76.

What concerns me about this war is the lack of talking between the opposition parties’ including Gaddafi and the UN. It all so seems to me Cameron has steam rolled this through without talking to any of the combatants in Libya, and who will be the majority after the war ,and who has the biggest support now ,that begs the question who will be in control after this has finished .the other thing is ,will Gaddafi ,do a Sadem Husain before he was defeated is Kuwait ,and set fire to the oil wells ,or smash the wells in the med that he owns and allow that oil to destroy the Med ,just to get his own back ,just think of the damage that could do to the coast of France ,Italy ,Spain, turkey and all the other resorts in the way of a massif oil slick .Or has Cameron now opened a can of worms in his race to fame,and will he do the same to other countries in the arab world that the UK and US surport?

Comment number 77.

I see the Arab League (talk a good fight do nothing) are already trying to distance themselves from the Western Powers actions,this is precisely what could be feared as it will give extremist elements such as Iran the opportunity to portray this as another example of Western Imperialism.

Lets hope Libya doesn't become Cameron's Iraq, actually come to think of it provided we can avoid casualties anything that discredits this useless excuse for a Government has some benefits.

Comment number 78.

I say shame on you for attempting to impose Democracy out of the Barrel of a gun. Maoist Cameron wants rights in Lybia while taking them away from workers at home.

Yes. Shame on the pro War supporters of this conflict. All avenues of diplomacy were NOT exhausted no where near it. Cameron is a warmongeror and a Terrorist.

Just how many people will be made homeless, operations cancelled, people thrown out of work, greater poverty, more right stripped from people that even Blair introduced to fund this madness. Because this upper class coward will ensure royalty and the Rich are spared any burden. We cant have that in our so called 'democracy'

Diplomacy was NOT exhausted. Britian is a terrorist nation along with brutal free market fascist USA who cannot even provide health care for thier own.

Disgusting American THUGS.

I hope and pray someone, sometime, somewhere stands up to and lauches missiles and weaponry at the Stock market and Wall street.

free market Capitalism part of the coming antichrist.

Britain and America are the enemies of Democracy and justice. Thier social policies prove it.

Comment number 80.

It might be helpful if The Arab League Nations, who consistently called for the UN to intervene, would show their open, practical and moral support now?

In addition, as I have posted on HYS today - regarding certain jingoistic newspaper's front pages - I will reiterate my disgust and demand they they hang their heads in shame. Oh, no - let's not forget these particular newspapers published today, Sunday, have no shame, nor humility or regard for how the UK public or our armed forces is being 'represented' in any way shape or form?

And we thought Gaddafi was spouting venom and baiting the world - well, some newspapers in Britain on this Sunday are, perhaps, doing his job for him?!!

This whole situation regarding Libya is very serious and deeply concerning. It's reporting should be considered, somber and with genuine respect for everyone involved who wish it had never happened at all.

Comment number 81.

I keep hearing IF only Gaddafi would go. One man does not an army make. And having wiped out his army what then? Power vacuum. The West really does have short term memory loss. Remember Iraq? I think everyone agrees the demolition of the Iraqi army after the war was a severe impediment to the control of law and order. Seems we are going off down that same road again. I see the Russians are already warning about being impartial as to what targets are hit i.e. they expect rebel forces who are also inflicting civilian casualties to be targeted. Quite right too. War is a funny game. It takes two or more sides, trying to occupy the same bit of space, for there to be any conflict. One lot have already said they are rebels and the incumbent army is doing exactly what any army in the world would do when there is a rebellion. Crush it. But it won't be long before the Chinese follow the Russian line, then what........ ?

This is going to get very interesting. As for solutions, there are none. The military, well all they are good at is blowing things up and killing people. Welcome to 2011 and another year of yet more body bags! I think this will get very much worse soon.

And as a British tax-payer I'm sick of my hard earned cash getting spent on yet another gung-ho enterprise to the middle east. But that is something I will remember for the future when I cast my vote in yet another sham election. Watch it David, this might cost you yet!

Comment number 82.

We have more reason to belive that Gaddafi was behind the Lockerbie attack - So! Step one wipe out the entire Lybian airforce leaving them with nothing more than a kite that will fly. If he still has not got the message then take out his entire collection of military tanks and vehicles. After that flat pack Tripoli and make sure that the Lybian people know what is coming their way, and why!

Comment number 85.

I say shame on you for attempting to impose Democracy out of the Barrel of a gun. Maoist Cameron wants rights in Lybia while taking them away from workers at home.

Yes. Shame on the pro War supporters of this conflict. All avenues of diplomacy were NOT exhausted no where near it. Cameron is a warmongeror and a Terrorist.

Just how many people will be made homeless, operations cancelled, people thrown out of work, greater poverty, more right stripped from people that even Blair introduced to fund this madness. Because this upper class coward will ensure royalty and the Rich are spared any burden. We cant have that in our so called 'democracy'

Diplomacy was NOT exhausted. Britian is a terrorist nation along with brutal free market fascist USA who cannot even provide health care for thier own.

Disgusting American THUGS.

I hope and pray someone, sometime, somewhere stands up to and lauches missiles and weaponry at the Stock market and Wall street.

free market Capitalism part of the coming antichrist.

Britain and America are the enemies of Democracy and justice. Thier social policies prove it.

Comment number 86.

Whoa re we to decide who runs another country? Let Libya sort themselves out. I'm far from a fan off Gadaffi but having spoken to people who lived in Libya he was softening, and things were not that bad. It's not up to us or any other country to decide, if it was why are we not doing the same to many other countries in civil war, oh yeah they don't have oil.

Comment number 88.

Libyan leader Ghaddafi should understand, recognize and adhere to humane interventions from the Coalition forces, his time on the big seat has ended, it is totally up to him to step down and find a better place to live peacefully. Many dictators have chosen Saudi Arabia, he could choose Paris or New York. Ghaddafi's escape route with his EGO intact can only happen if someone shows him the picture of Saddam Hussein hiding in the mud pit, then being tried for killing thousands of innocent people and finally being HANGED. Sometimes defiance is your worst enemy, especially when you do not want to accept the citizen's opinion for your long and continued rule/misrule, the worst is your children gluing themselves to your seats in power.

Comment number 90.

We should be disgusted at what Cameron is doing in our name. The UN resolution was for a no fly zone, not to attack forces on the ground. The Arab league will not support this, and it has clearly become a Western action against arabs, probably because of oil, and the fact that America and others have been looking at an excuse to get rid of Gadaffi. The problem is that they were looking to do the same with Iraq and look at the chaos that resulted in. I am sure the July bombings in London that took place in 2005 wouldn't haven't occurred if we hadn't attacked Iraq and Afganistan. We are storing up resentment which will last for years and are encouraging future terrorist attacks, as by attacking Libya we are showing that Al Quida are right when they warn about the west.

Comment number 91.

Hmmm, is Amr Moussa of the Arab League doing a u-turn? How'd he think a no-fly zone would be accomplished - by magic? Sounds like he let a few drops of Gaddafi brainwashing fluid into his ears.

The sooner a Libyan zaps Gaddafi and his clan off the face of the earth, the better. That'll keep the Arab League happy to enjoy having their cake and eating it too! It'll also resolve the Libyan conflict pronto.

Comment number 93.

If any nation, Zimbabwe and Ivory coast need the world's attention more than any one else. Also in the recent past, the West has made a complete hash of things in Afghanistan and Iraq...what they did there caused irreparable damage and altered the course of history in the most undesirable manner...We the citizens of the world are sick of shortsighted strategies of the developed world's governments. If you must, resolve through dialogue and diplomacy.

Comment number 94.

What Gaddafi says, should be checed out.You are dealing with expert.Mistake is made by so called U.N.resolution by most of the NATO allies.I wonder how much protections they will give to Libyan population.

Comment number 98.

anyone who complains about the efforts of the civilized world to stop a dictator mass murdering thousands of innocent civilians, whether it be the financial cost or the moral justification, must also, using their own argument, be just fine and dandy withy Adolph Hitler and his gang of thugs butchering 6 million innocent civilians between 1933 and 1945. Dont be so hypocritical. The head of the Libyan thugs has murdered so many people, that he should have been taken out and hanged 23 years ago. Lockerbie anyone? The night clubs in Germany? Funding and material support for the IRA? How many innocent Brits were murdered thanks to his enabling of the IRA? Get off your pious horses and face reality for once in your life. He needs to meet his demise and meet it now. We just keep letting these dictators run amok with no consequences, and then we start crying. It's time to grow up.

Comment number 99.

The fault lines are beginning to appear already. The Arab League has voiced its disapproval of the western action. But it was the Arab League who asked for help! Just what did they expect? Will the Arab countries who supported 1973 now beginning to drift away. More than likelyThe west should just say to Arab league: Okay then. You sort it out. You risk your assets and your people. That it what the US, France, UK, Italy etc. should have done from the beginning. Leave it to the Arabs to find solutions to their own problems. No one wants to get involved in a protracted conflict, but this is what will happen here if we are not very careful

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